Sister of Steven Jones' alleged killer could be prosecution witness

Nicholas Jacques — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 19:13:39 -0500

The sister of a Charlestown man accused of gunning down a 21-year-old man who was trying to stop a fight last May may be called as a witness against her brother, court documents show.

Pablo Flores Jr., 20, was charged in September with killing 21-year-old Steven Jones when Jones and a friend tried to intervene in a fight between Flores and another man, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley's office said.

His sister, Jelaine Flores, 18, was arrested in May for witness intimidation after allegedly threatening two potential witnesses. Prosecutors say she called one witness a "snitch" in a threat on Facebook, and threatened the other over the phone. She pleaded innocent to the charges at her May 22 arraignment, Conley's office said.

A request filed by Pablo Flores's defense shows that the prosecution might use Jelaine Flores's Facebook post as evidence against her brother.

At a Dec. 23 pretrial conference, Pablo Flores's attorney, Jeffery Karp, was granted a series of requests for information from the prosecution, ranging from details of the scientific testing of evidence, to autopsy reports, court records show.

Several of the requests involved the credibility of the prosecution's witnesses. Karp was granted a request to see to criminal background information on 11 potential witnesses, including Jelaine Flores, and a description of all deals offered to any witnesses, according motions filed by the defense.

In addition, the defense was granted information on specific acts of violence perpetrated by Jones and a 28-year-old potential witness.

According to the state's official complaint against Flores, Jones, who was also from Charlestown, was walking with a friend on Monument Street in Charlestown on the night of May 7 when they encountered the fight.

When Jones and his friend tried to break up the fight, Flores allegedly pushed them off and fired multiple shots at close range, striking Jones in the chest and stomach, the complaint said.

According to the complaint, Flores was a longtime resident of 92 Monument St., and was known by many people in the area who told investigators they saw him engaged in the initial fight.

Flores pleaded innocent Sept. 5 to murder, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and multiple firearms charges.

Released by the Suffolk County district attorney's office on Sept. 5, 2013:

BOSTON, Sept. 5, 2013—Steven Jones was shot dead at the age of 21 after he stepped in to stop a fistfight, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s office said today.

Jones’ alleged killer, PABLO FLORES, Jr. (D.O.B. 2/17/93), of Charlestown, was arraigned today in Suffolk Superior Court on charges of second-degree murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, and multiple counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.

Granting a request by Assistant District Attorney Gretchen Lundgren, Clerk Magistrate Gary D. Wilson ordered Flores held without bail.

Lundgren said that Jones, who was also a Charlestown resident, was walking with a friend on Monument Avenue just after 10:00 p.m. on May 7 when he saw Flores fighting with another man.

“The man the defendant was fighting was not only unarmed, but shorter and smaller than the defendant,” Lundgren said.

Jones and his friend stepped in to break the fight up. Neither of them was armed.

“While Mr. Jones and his friend tried to pull apart the defendant and the man he was fighting, the defendant pushed everyone off of him, stepped back, pulled a gun from his waist area, and fired multiple shots at close range,” Lundgren said.

Jones was struck in the chest and stomach, causing injuries that claimed his life. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Flores allegedly pointed the gun at Jones’ friend and a female bystander before fleeing on foot. Based on witness statements and additional evidence developed by Boston Police homicide detectives, Jones was identified as a suspect the next day and has been sought on a warrant charging him with murder.

“Steven Jones was the kind of young man everyone wants as a neighbor,” Conley said. “He was kind. He was concerned. He was a good friend. Dozens of people appeared in court today in a show of support for his memory. That says a lot about the number of people he touched in life.”

In the days that followed, Flores’ sister, JELAINE FLORES (D.O.B. 4/26/95) of Charlestown, allegedly contacted two potential witnesses to the crime, threatening both with bodily harm. She allegedly threatened one during a phone call and the other in a Facebook message, allegedly calling that victim a “snitch.”

Both incidents were intended to derail the investigation into Jones’ homicide, prosecutors said, and both were reported to Boston Police, who arrested her on two counts of witness intimidation and one count of making annoying or harassing phone calls. She was held on $3500 cash bail.

Boston Police apprehended Pablo Flores yesterday at a Dorchester residence. When they entered, he allegedly ran down a back stairwell and hid in the basement. When located, he allegedly gave his name as “Andre Durant.” Police recognized him and placed him under arrest.

Jillian Quigley is the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate. Flores is represented by attorney Jeffrey Karp. He is due back in court on Oct. 8.

A copy of Flores' indictment has been added below.

Pablo Flores Jr. | Homicide Watch Boston

Sister of Steven Jones' alleged killer could be prosecution witness